The Wilmingtonian., 1887-04-30
ADVERTISING RATES,
SATURDAY, APRIL 80, 1887.
Home Rule Progress.

In tue immediate vicinage of the recent
largely attended meeting at the Opera House
here for the purpose Of expressing sympathy
for Iieland's rational efforts for Home Rule
and more exactly to express the general feel
ing existing among us of indignation at the
harsh measures of coercion adopted by the |
English government towards its Irish sub
jects it is very opportune to make inquiry at
this moment as to the status of the move
ment and what is its progress just now to-
wards the accomplishment OF that end.
Perhaps the answer might be quickly CIV
On by referring to the record of events, of
the fact that parliament simultaneously, as
the large concourse of Wilmingtonians were
preparing their message of good cheer to
Gladstone and Parnell, had passed the Coer-
cion bill through its second reading by
strong majority of 100 votes. And again it
may be cited that the appearance in the
London Times of the supposititious Parne1l
etter, ascribing to the great Home Ruler
direct sympathy, or, as IT'S advertisers would
more palpably wish tc say, completely with
assassination may be taken as anillustraton
of true English feeling towards Ireland.
But neither Of these, which are tbs most
salient, ready to hand illustrations produc-
able, can be justly brought forward as in
dicstive of current English opinion at least
of the question of Home Rule.
OF course it may be logically exclaimed "if
the ascrbed Parnell letter be forgery why
does not its victim who has ample oppJrtan-
ity to compel an appearance Of his trsducers
in the courts to answer to the accusation of
libel, why does he not, if he fear that the
ends Justice are not attainable in an English
essay the case in an Irish 3rScottish court to
which the case is readily accessible-if he
knows, as he claims, that he is not guilty of
the hideous charge, why does he not leap to
his feet and throttle his caluminators ~
All this is very easily said, But there are
great difficulties il Mr. Parnell's path even
were he in possession of inc ontrovertible
proofs of bis innocence. Even gentleman
of Mr.. Parnell's exalted character might
easily under the peculiar political conuoc
tions of the time and date of the ascribed let
ter find difficulty in literal ard legal, though
not moral, disproof of the accusation which
is more Of q general than definite one.
We all are aware Of the trouble involved
when it is essayed to meet general unspeci
fled charge. And then it must be remember.
ed by Americans that the status of the law
of libel in England is altogether different
from what It is here.
The most bitter assaiaut of Mr.. Parnel
upon the Times letter, in parliament it mus
be remembered is the elder brother of LORD
Frederick Cayendish who was murdured-
this fact bringing the incident to color NOR,
ofa personal quarrel than as having or bear
ing indications of representing the feeling,
of the English people throughout the coun
try.
Again whatever may be the opposed legis
lation of the present parliament it is only
too apparent that since its election com
preheusive wave of opinion favorable to thu
Irish idea of Home Rule has swept over bott
England and Scotland. Of course this chang,
OF public opinion is not possible of proper
demonstration III the present British par
lament whose election, and conse
quently stntiments and ideas, ,ante-dated tn,
reVulsion of feeling referred to-
1t would appear then that tletwo recent anc
most violent attacks upon Irish hopes neeC
not be taken for ther apparent value or az
in reality containing grounds for fearing that
the theories Of Home Rnle are losing fayo
among the English public.
new parliament will legislate differentl,
from the present one; and Lord Harrington
harsh structures W hich are almost pardonabl
when altered by brother Of him who wa
assassinated will be remembered only as til
personal and bitter feelings Of n relative {
the murdered man